OMEKA
Omeka is a tool developed at the Roy Rosenzweig Center for History and New Media (RRCHNM). It is basically a way to design and curate a digital exhibit, particularly those borne out of original research. As you learn how to use this tool, you will also gain a better understanding about Dublin Core—the key standard used by librarians and archivists—and how to work with items in a database.
- For more information on Omeka, go to its RRCHNM landing page and its official website at omeka.org. Check out the difference in Omeka.org (S and Classic) and Omeka.net, which is the version we will use in HIS 3630.
- For information on Omeka & Dublin Core, explore “Working with Dublin Core” page. Here you will find out what DC means by “publisher,” “source,” “creator,” etc. when completing metadata for specific items.
ZOTERO
Zotero is another tool developed at RRCHNM and used by researchers and students around the world. It is basically a tool to collect resources (primary and secondary sources), organize them, annotate them (notes, tags), and even share research sources with other people in a group library. It is also a useful tool for generating citations and works cited/bibliography pages. As you learn how to use this tool, you will begin to see how it can make your research process easier and more effective; however, you can also envision ways to use Zotero as a teaching and collaboration tool.
- For more information on Zotero, go to its website and and its official website at zotero.org.
DIGITAL TOOLS
“What digital tool do I use?”
This is perhaps the most common question instructors/presenters and students ask when trying to digitally infuse their lessons or presentations. It’s also the wrong question to ask.
Instead, ask yourself: “What learning objectives do I want my audience to practice and master?” Once you’ve established a clear purpose for your lesson or presentation, then you can begin looking for digital tools that align with the skill or content at hand. For example, do you want your audience to trace the chronological sequence of events that led to a pivotal moment in history? Then, you will be looking for a digital timeline or storymap tool. Are you working with maps and geographic literacy? Them, GIS and other mapping tools will be essential. Do you want to focus on a story narrative? Maybe a digital storytelling (DST), poster, or storymap tool can work. Do you want to examine primary sources in depth? Then, you will find image annotation tools, photo collection sites, screen casting, webpage highlighting, or vlogs to be useful.
- There are many websites out there that curate a collection of digital tools and resources for historians. Although many tools (and links) wind up “dead,” it’s useful to become familiar with a few, such as this one from the University of Washington, another from Sam Houston State University, and yet another from the University of Arizona.
- You can also find enthusiasts’ sites that compile digital history tools and resources from around the world, such as Awesome Digital History, and a comprehensive personal website from historian Jeff McClurken (check out his ongoing compilation of digital tools and papers presented at history conferences and workshops).
- For those interested in teaching 9-12 social studies, an oldie (but goodie) is the website Teachinghistory.org and its section devoted to the Digital Classroom. Here, you will find teaching strategies and over 70 reviews for digital tools under Tech For Teachers, which include steps on how to get started and examples of history lessons.
- For a comprehensive list of digital resources for historians, check out the AHA webpage for getting started with digital history.
RESOURCES
There are at least five major websites that intersect history and teaching (for any audience), but there are so many more websites for searching for primary sources and specific collections.
HISTORY + EDUCATION
- Teachinghistory.org
- Stanford History Education Group
- Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History (Collection and Resources)
- World History for Us All
- World History Commons
- Check out the RRCHNM portal for Projects (Education, Public History, Data Driven)
COLLECTIONS & SEARCH RESOURCES
- Digital Public Library of America
- U.S. Library of Congress Digital Collections
- U.S. National Archives
- Omeka directory of collections [Command or Control + F to search]
- Specific historical research projects on the RRCHNM Our Work page
- Search for U.S.-based museums that offer specific collections. Examples like Ford’s Theatre, WWI museum, the Smithsonian Institute (digitized items from all of its museums), US Holocaust Memorial Museum, NC Museum of History, NCpedia, etc.
- In a digitized world, you can easily visit international sites as well, such as: the Imperial War Museum Collections, British Museum of History, Vatican Museums Online Catalogue, Muzeo Nazionale Romano (Roman National Museum) – choose Museum and collection, Museo Nacional de Antropología de México (Collection), etc.
- Questions? Looking for something? Consult your instructor!
